Dharamsala: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sanctioned grants worth over Rs 17 crore towards upgradation and strengthening of trauma care facilities in government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh.

The grants are a part of the centrally-sponsored scheme 'Capacity Development for Developing Trauma Care Facilities in Government Hospitals located on National Highways'.

"The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is committed to strengthening of healthcare infrastructure in the state of Himachal Pradesh and this initiative is a step in that direction," Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda said in press release today.

Of the total amount sanctioned, Rs 2.75 crore each has been sanctioned for four trauma care facilities at the zonal hospital Mandi for level-III trauma care, Hamirpur regional hospital, regional hospital at Rampur in Shimla and the district hospital in Chamba. Rs 6.07 crore have been sanctioned for Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical Hospital at Tanda in Kangra, the release said.

The ministry has taken several steps for strengthening public health infrastructure in the state of Himachal Pradesh. An AIIMS has been approved for the state, further process is underway to make it operational soon. Besides, a tertiary cancer care centre worth Rs 45 crore has also been sanctioned in Shimla

The health ministry has also released the first instalment for upgradation of two district hospitals and two medical colleges in Nahan and Hamirpur.

A level-I trauma facility for Shimla also has been proposed by the state government and is under consideration of the Centre. The process of procurement of health related equipment worth Rs 32.78 crore for the Tanda Medical College is underway and the procurement process is nearing completion. The order shall be placed by end of December, it said.

Against the long standing demand of the state to open a CGHS Wellness Centre, the ministry approved one for Shimla in December 2014.